Blank feeding mechanism



Dec. 31, 1940. .1. SIMPSON 2,226,588

BLANK FEEDING MECHANISM Filed July 15, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 31, 1940.

J. SIMPSON BLANK FEEDING MECHANISM Filed July 15, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 III INVENTOR 5,4 ATTO N EYS Dec. 31, 1940. J. s s 2,226,588

BLANK FEEDING MECHANISM Filed July 15, 1939 ZwSheets-Sheet s /a/ 64 A Q 1 5555 INVENTOR Patented Dec. 31, 1940 UNITED "STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a

corporation of New Jersey Application July 15, 1939, Serial No. 284,786

'1 Claims. (Cl. 271-44) The present invention relates to a blank feeding mechanism such as is used in container or can making machinery and the like and has particular reference to controlling the feeding of the 5 blanks while the machine, on which the feed mechanism is used, continues to operate without interruption.

In the manufacture of container parts made of fibre or the like where succeeding operations are 10 performed in a continuing process and in a single machine, it is often desirable to temporarily stop the feeding of new blanks into the machine but at the same time to continue other operations of the machine. This is particularly desirable where certain steps in the operations on the articles require an application of heat. For example where fibre containers are being made, stopp ge of the blanks or partially made container parts while under heat treatment, would result in severe scorching or burning of the articles and not only damage such beyond use but would thereby set up a fire hazard.

The present invention contemplates overcoming this difliculty by providing a blank feed which 5 may be stopped from feeding new blanks into the machine while the machine continues to operate so that any partially formed containers will continue through the subsequent operations.

An object therefore of the invention is the provision of a blank feeding mechanism fora can making machine wherein the feeding of new blanks into the machine may be stopped without stopping the operation of the machine.

Another object is the provision of such a feeding mechanism wherein new blanks, normally to be fed into the machine, are shifted out of the path of travel of the feeding mechanism when it is desired to prevent feeding of the blanks, thus permitting continuedoperation of the feeding mechanism with other operations of the machine but without feeding new blanks, this abnormal phase being under full control, and maintained as long as desired.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a blank feeding mechanism embodying the instant invention, with parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken substantially along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1, with parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section taken substantially along the line 1-4 in Fig. 1, with parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken substantially along the line 4-4 in Fig. 1, with parts broken away; and

Figs. 5, 6 and? are views similar to Fig. 3 and showing the movable parts of the mechanism in different positions.

As a preferred embodiment of the instant inm vention, the drawings illustrate a feeding mechanism adapted to feed individual fibre can body blanks A from a magazine B (Figs. 1 and 2) and carry them forward into the grip of a pair of feed rollers C for advancement into and through a can 15 body forming machine or the like. The feeding mechanism is preferably supported in a frame ii (Figs. 1 and 2) which may be a part of the forming machine.

The magazine B includes a plurality of vertig cally disposed rods i3 secured to a horizontal table i4 bolted to the machine frame Ii. The bars are arranged to retain in position a stack of the blanks A. The blanks are supported above the table'on laterally projecting lugs I I formed on 25 the magazine bars l3 and also on a pair of inclined rails l8 which are secured to the top of the table.

The blank advancing or feed rollers C are disposed adjac'ent that side of the magazine having so the inclined bars l8. These rollers are mounted on transverse shafts 2| which are carried in bearings 22 provided in upright brackets 23 formed integrally with the table II. These rollers are rotated in unison in any suitable manner in time 35 with the other operating parts of the machine. The rollers are located one above the other so that a blank A fed horizontally from the bottom of the stack in the magazine will readily enter between the rollers and will thus be advanced o or fed by them. *Kcross-bar 25 formed as an integral part of thebrackets 23 extends transversely of the table It and supports the two magazine bars l3 along this side of the magazine. These two bars extend 45 down'just far enough to prevent blanks, except the lowermost one, from shifting out of the magazine when the lowermost blank is fed into the rollers C.

Feeding of the blanks Afrom the magazine is preferably effected by a sliding and reciprocating feed bar 3i (Figs. 1 and 2) which slides toward and away from the magazine in a slideway 32 formed in a guide block 33 bolted to the top of the table. A plate 34 confines the slide bar in its ward or feeding stroke. 7

Reciprocation of the feed bar on its forward and return strokes is brought about by an actuating arm-l| which is mounted on a pivot pin 42 carried in the frame One end of the arm is formed with a segment gear 48 and this end extends up through openings 44, 45 formedrespectively in the frame II and in the table" I and guide block 88 and meshes with a rack 41 formed on the bottom of the slide bar 8|. The opposite end of the arm is connected to a link 48 which leads to any suitable moving part of the machine. The arm isthusactuated in time with the other moving parts of the machine.

Feeding of the blanks from the magazine B is controlled by a device which includes a stack a lifting instrumentality comprising a pair of spaced and parallel arms (Figs. 1, 3 and 4) which are formed on a hub 52 mounted on a pivot shaft 58 carried in' bearing lugs 54 proiecting up from the table ll. These arms are disposed one on each side of the feed bar 3| and the forward free ends of the arms extend under the stack of blanks A retained in the magazine B. Intermediate its length, one of the lifter arms 8| carries a cam roller 58 which operates on a cam surface 51 of a movable cam block 58. This cam surface is provided with a depressed section and a raised section.

Hence when the cam roller 58 is'on the depressed section of the cam surface 51, as shown in Fig. 3, the lifter arms 5| are maintained with their inner ends, which extend under the stack of blanks A, below and clear of the blanks. In such position they will not interfere with feeding of the blanks from the magazine.

However, when the cam roller is on the raised section of the cam surface the inner ends of the lifter arms 5| engage under the stack of blanks A and raise them in the magazine, holding them above the path of travel of the reciprocating feed bar. In this raised position, the feed dog 31 passes under the stack without engaging and without feeding a blank therefrom. However, the feed bar continues to reciprocate with the rest of the machine but no new blanks will be fed forward as long as such abnormal feed condition obtains.

Shifting of the cam roller 56 on the cam surface 51 of the cam block 58 is brought about by moving the cam block under the roller. For this purpose the cam block is supported on top of the table H and is formed with laterally extending side tongues 8| (Fig. 4) which are frictionally confined between a gib 82 on one side formed integrally with the guide blocks 83 and a parallel gib 68 on the other side which is.boited to the table.

Movement of the cam block 58 between its gibs is effected by an actuating finger 85 which travels with the feed bar 8|. The finger is carried on a pivot stud 86 which extends through a slot 61 formedin the guide block 33 and which is threaded into a side of the feed bar. The free end of the finger has a depending hook 88 which .operates in a slot 69 provided in the cam block.

Inside the slot the cam block is formed with a block forward and back.

Intermediate the length of the actuating finger 85, it is connected to the upper end of a depending link I4. This link extends down through openings l5, 16 formed respectively in the table H and the frame At its lower end the link is secured to a movablecore I8 (see also Fig. 6) of an electric solenoid 18 secured to a bracket 8| bolted to the frame The core is normally maintained energized for normal feeding by electric 3circuits shown in the wiring diagram in Fig.

As is usual in solenoids of this type a spring 88 is located inside of the solenoid casing surrounding. reduced upper end of the core 18. This spring is held under compression when the solenoid is energized and when the core is raised. However, when de-energized the spring 83 acts to pull or force the solenoid core into the solenoid. In the present construction of parts the spring is assisted by the weight of the link 14 and the finger 85 which when not held up fall into the lower positions.

In the wiring diagram there is shown a generator 85 which is indicative of the source of supply of electric energy. One side of the generator is connected by a wire 88 to the solenoid. The other side of the generator is connected by a wire 81 to a normally closed feed stop switch 88. This'switch' is connected by a wire 89 to the solenoid. Hence when the stop switch is closed the circuit is complete and energy from the generator flows through the solenoid. This flow of energy is interrupted only when the stop switch is mechanically opened to stop feeding of blanks from the magazine.

Under normal operating conditions the 'solenoid is maintained energized and the core is magnetically held in a raised position. In this position the upper end of the core is just beyond the upper end of the solenoid and thus through the link 14, holds the actuating flnger 65 in a raised position within the cam block slot 69, this being the position shown in Figs. 3 and 5. Hence the finger moves back and forth in the slot without doing any work as it is shifted by the reciprocating feed bar. In raised position it in no way interferes with proper feeding of the blanks A from the magazine.

However, when abnormal conditions occur in the machine, the feed stop switch 88 is opened,

the solenoid circuit is broken and the solenoid is thus de-energized. De-energizing of the solenoid permits its core 18 to be drawn in by the solenoid spring 83 and finger 65 falls into its lowermost or depressed position, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. If the finger is in a forward position (Fig.

, 7) when this happens, its hook end 68 drops down over the lug 12- of the cam block 58. If the fin- 'ger is at the'opposite or back end of its stroke as shown in Fig. 5 when it falls down it will, on the next forward stroke, ride over the lug l2.'

In any event the finger on the return stroke, 1. e., when the feed bar moves back, engages with the cam block lug and draws the cam block back toward the left. Fig. 6 showing the end of the backward movement. It is this action which shifts the cam surface 51 under the roller 58 so that the roller rides up on the high or raised portion of the cam surface. The arms 5| and that portion of thebl-anks in the magazine supported thereon are thus raised.

This is the movement which lifts the blanks out of the path of travel of the feed bar dog 31 and.

prevents further feeding of new blanks from the magazine, while the feed bar continues to reciprocate with the other moving parts of the machine. Feeding of the blanks is thus stopped without stopping the operation of the machine and hence any blanks already in the machine will continue along their regular normal path of travel until discharged.

When it is desired to resume feeding of the blanks from the magazine, the feed stop switch 88 is closed. This may be a manual or an automatic operation. Closing of the switch re-establishes the solenoid circuit and hence re-energizes the solenoid. This raises the core 18 with a consequent raising of the finger 65 back into the position shown in Figs. 3 and 5. In such a position the finger, moving forward on a forward stroke of the feed bar, engages against the shoulder II of the cam block 58 as in Fig. 3. This slides the cam block forward into its normal position, as shown in Fig. 3.

The forward shifting of the cam block thus permits the arm roller 56 to ride back onto the lower portion of the cam surface 51. It is this movement of the roller which allows the arms 5| to fall into their normally lowered position. This releases the blanks in the magazine and they move down into engagement with the supporting lugs I'l where they are again in proper position for feeding by the feed bar dog 31.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a feeding mechanism for can body blanks or the like, the combination of support means for a stack of blanks, feeding devices for feeding the supported blanks individually from the bottom of the stack, and instrumentalities engageable beneath the stack of blanks and adapted to elevate the same from the path of travel of the feeding devices when it is desired to prevent further feeding of the blanks without disturbing the niormal position and operation of the feeding dev ces.

2. In a feeding mechanism for can body blanks or the like, the combination of support means for a stack of blanks, feeding devices for feeding the supported blanks individually from the bottom of the stack, a movable arm extending under the supported stack of blanks, and arm actuating elements for shifting said arm, said actuatin elements being adapted to elevate said arm and the stack of blanks above said support out of the path of travel of said feeding devices when desired, whereby continued feeding of the blanks may be prevented without interfering with the continued operation of the feeding devices.

3. In a feeding mechanism for can body blanks or the like, the combinationvof a magazine for retaining a stack of blanks, a reciprocating feed bar adjacent said magazine for individually removing the blanks from the bottom of the stack. a movable arm having one end disposed under said stack of blanks and adapted to engage and elevate the latter above the path of travel of the feed bar when desired. whereby to prevent further feeding of blanks from the magazine without interfering with the continued operation of the feed bar.

4. In a feeding mechanism for can body blanks or the like, the combination of a. magazine for 6 retaining a stack of blanks, a reciprocating feed bar adjacent said magazine for individually removing the blanks from the bottom of the stack, a movable arm having one end disposed under said stack, a slidable cam on which said arm 1 rests, and means cooperating with said feed bar for shifting said cam relative to said arm for actuating the latter to lift the stack of blanks above the path of travel of the feed bar when desired, whereby to prevent further feeding of 15 blanks from the magazine without interfering with the continued operation of the feed bar.

5. In a feeding mechanism for can body blanks or the like, the combination of a magazine for retaining a stack of blanks,.a reciprocating feed 20 bar adjacent said magazine for individually removing the blanks from the bottom of the stack, a movable arm having one end disposed under said stack, a slidable cam on which said arm rests, a finger traveling with said feed bar and 25 adapted to be moved relative to the cam, and devices operable to shift said finger into a position where it will engage and move said cam relative to said arm for actuating the arm to lift the stack of blanks above the path of travel of the :0

feed bar when desired thereby preventing feeding of blanks from the magazine without interferin with the continued operation of the feed bar.

6. In a feeding mechanism for can body blanks or the like, the combination of a magazine for retaining a stack of blanks, a reciprocating feed bar adjacent said magazine for individually removing the blanks from the bottom of the stack, a movable arm having. one end disposed under said stack, a slidable cam on which said arm 40 rests, a finger traveling with said feed bar and adapted to be moved relative to the cam, and an electric solenoid connected with said finger and operable when desired for shifting said finger into a position where it will engage and move said cam rel ative to said arm thereby actuating the arm to lift the stack of blanks above the path of travel of the feed bar, whereby further feeding of blanks from the magazine will be prevented without interfering with the continued 50 operations of the feed bar.

7. In a feeding mechanism for can body blanks or the like, the combination of a magazine for retaining a stack of blanks, a reciprocating feed bar adjacent said magazine for individually re- 55 moving the blanks from the bottom of the stack, a movable arm having one end disposed under said stack, a slidable hollow cam on which said arm rests, said cam having an internal shoulder and an internal lug, a finger pivotally connected w to said feed bar and having a hooked end adapted to be moved into and out of the cam adjacent the shoulder and lug therein, and devices operable at will for shifting said fingers into engagement with said cam shoulder or said cam lug 5 for sliding the cam in one direction or an opposite direction along sald arm, whereby to actuate the latter to lift the stack of blanks above the path of travel of the feed when abnormal conditions occur, whereby further feeding of 7 blanks from the magazine will be prevented without interfering with the continued operations of the feed bar.

JUSTIN N. 

